Kuwaiti skies set for a month of stunning astronomical displays
Starting on August 6, observers can witness the conjunction of the planets Saturn and Neptune. According to a statement issued by the center on Sunday, Saturn will pass just 1.08 degrees south of Neptune, with both planets sharing the same ascendant. These celestial bodies will be visible either in the morning or evening when they reach an altitude of 21 degrees above the eastern horizon.
The center also highlighted the August moon, known as the 'Sturgeon Moon,' which will occur on the ninth day of the month. This name derives from the sturgeon fish's abundance in the Great Lakes during this period.
Another significant event will take place on August 12, when the bright planets Venus and Jupiter will appear in conjunction, separated by less than one degree. On the same day, the Perseid meteor shower will begin and continue through August 13. While the Perseids are among the most active and brightest meteor showers of the year, the presence of a bright gibbous moon is expected to reduce the number of meteors visible to the naked eye.
Mercury will reach its longest western elongation on August 19, making it the best time to observe the planet as it appears farthest from the sun in the morning sky.
On August 21, Mercury will be seen in conjunction with the thin waning crescent moon in the early morning sky. Shortly after, the new moon will occur on August 23, a time when the sun and moon align with Earth positioned on the opposite side of the moon.
Towards the end of the month, on August 26, the moon and Mars will approach within 27.2 degrees of each other, with the moon at three days old. The center noted, however, that this conjunction may be difficult to observe in Kuwait City if the pair does not rise higher than 14 degrees above the horizon.
These events promise to make August an exciting month for astronomy enthusiasts across the country.
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Kuwait Times
11 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Look up: Kuwait's sky to light up with planets, meteors this August
KUWAIT: If you've ever wanted to get into stargazing, August is the perfect month to start. The Ojairi Scientific Center says the skies over Kuwait will be filled with rare and beautiful celestial events this month — from planet pairings and meteor showers to striking moon phases. Things kick off on August 6, when Saturn and Neptune will appear side by side in the sky. 'The two planets share the same right ascension,' the center explained, with Saturn passing just 1.08 degrees south of Neptune. That means they'll be close together from our point of view — best spotted in the early morning or evening when they reach 21 degrees above the eastern horizon. Next up is the 'Fish Moon' on August 9. This is the name traditionally given to the August full moon, known in English as the Sturgeon Moon — because it used to mark the peak time to catch sturgeon fish in North America's Great Lakes. It's one of the year's most striking full moons. Then, on August 12, two of the brightest planets in the sky, Venus and Jupiter, will shine just a finger's width apart. 'They will appear less than one degree apart in the sky,' the center noted. That same night, the Perseid meteor shower will begin — one of the most anticipated annual meteor shows. The Perseids are known for being especially bright and active, but there's a catch this year: a nearly full, bright moon will be in the sky too. 'It will reduce the number of meteors that can be seen,' the center said. Still, the show is worth looking up for, especially in darker areas away from city lights. On August 19, early risers will have a chance to catch Mercury at its greatest distance from the Sun. This moment, called 'greatest elongation,' makes the tiny planet easier to spot in the morning sky — something that doesn't happen often. Just two days later, on August 21, Mercury will rise near a thin crescent moon. 'It will appear beside a delicate waning moon,' the center said — another pretty sight for anyone up before sunrise. On August 23, we'll see a new moon — the moment when the moon is directly between the Earth and the Sun. It's invisible to the naked eye, but it also means the nights around that date will be darker — perfect for stargazing or catching the tail end of the Perseid meteors. Finally, on August 26, the moon and Mars will line up in the sky. 'They will pass within 27.2 degrees of each other,' the center said. But this time, you may need binoculars or a high vantage point to see them. 'It will be difficult to observe from Kuwait City unless they rise higher than 14 degrees above the horizon.' All in all, August offers a sky full of action — a free show for anyone curious enough to look up. Whether you're a space nerd or just someone who wants an excuse to go outside at night, it's a good month to keep your eyes on the stars.
Arab Times
17 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwaiti skies set for a month of stunning astronomical displays
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: The Al-Ajari Scientific Center has announced that August will bring a series of notable astronomical events visible in Kuwait's skies. Starting on August 6, observers can witness the conjunction of the planets Saturn and Neptune. According to a statement issued by the center on Sunday, Saturn will pass just 1.08 degrees south of Neptune, with both planets sharing the same ascendant. These celestial bodies will be visible either in the morning or evening when they reach an altitude of 21 degrees above the eastern horizon. The center also highlighted the August moon, known as the 'Sturgeon Moon,' which will occur on the ninth day of the month. This name derives from the sturgeon fish's abundance in the Great Lakes during this period. Another significant event will take place on August 12, when the bright planets Venus and Jupiter will appear in conjunction, separated by less than one degree. On the same day, the Perseid meteor shower will begin and continue through August 13. While the Perseids are among the most active and brightest meteor showers of the year, the presence of a bright gibbous moon is expected to reduce the number of meteors visible to the naked eye. Mercury will reach its longest western elongation on August 19, making it the best time to observe the planet as it appears farthest from the sun in the morning sky. On August 21, Mercury will be seen in conjunction with the thin waning crescent moon in the early morning sky. Shortly after, the new moon will occur on August 23, a time when the sun and moon align with Earth positioned on the opposite side of the moon. Towards the end of the month, on August 26, the moon and Mars will approach within 27.2 degrees of each other, with the moon at three days old. The center noted, however, that this conjunction may be difficult to observe in Kuwait City if the pair does not rise higher than 14 degrees above the horizon. These events promise to make August an exciting month for astronomy enthusiasts across the country.
Arab Times
20 hours ago
- Arab Times
The Scientific Center launches ‘Renewable Energy Month' under the theme ‘Energy of Tomorrow'
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: The Scientific Center, affiliated with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), announced on Sunday the launch of its Renewable Energy Month activities. Running through the end of August, this initiative is themed "Energy of Tomorrow" and aims to raise awareness about the significance of renewable energy in building a more sustainable future for Kuwait and the world. Mohammad Al-Sanousi, Deputy Director General of Visitor Experience at the Scientific Center, told KUNA that the initiative seeks to educate the public about renewable energy sources and showcase interactive exhibits within the center's Engineering Our World section. The program also encourages families and children to engage with energy science through hands-on, interactive activities specially designed for the summer season. Al-Sanousi explained that the activities blend education and entertainment, featuring workshops open to visitors of all ages, alongside summer camp experiences focused on wind and solar energy concepts. He described Renewable Energy Month as a key milestone in the center's ongoing efforts to enhance environmental awareness. The activities are conducted in collaboration with strategic partners from government and research institutions, notably the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research. These collaborations are part of joint agreements aimed at boosting community understanding of sustainability issues. Al-Sanousi highlighted that the partnership enriches the campaign's scientific content by providing accurate information about sustainable energy technologies and their potential applications in Kuwait. It also unites efforts to help visitors grasp current environmental challenges and explore possible solutions through clean energy sources. He emphasized that these activities continue the center's mission to promote scientific and environmental education across all segments of society, reinforcing its role as a national hub for scientific awareness and experiential learning, especially during the summer months when visitor numbers peak.
